Abstract
Properties of matrices manufactured by electrospinning from solutions of polyurethane Tecoflex EG-80A with gelatin in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol were studied. The concentration of gelatin added to the electrospinning solution was shown to influence the mechanical properties of matrices: the dependence of matrix tensile strength on protein concentration is described by a bell-shaped curve and an increase in gelatin concentration added to the elasticity of the samples. SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, and mechanical testing demonstrate that incubation of matrices in phosphate buffer changes the structure of the fibers and alters the polyurethane-gelatin interactions, increasing matrix durability. The ability of the matrices to maintain adhesion and proliferation of human endothelial cells was studied. The results suggest that matrices made of 3% polyurethane solution with 15% gelatin (wt/wt) and treated with glutaraldehyde are the optimal variant for cultivation of endothelial cells.
Highlights
The micro- and nanofiber matrices produced by electrospinning using solutions of synthetic or natural polymers as well as their blends can be made sufficiently durable depending on the used polymeric composition
Addition of extracellular matrix proteins, such as gelatin (GL), collagen, elastin, and fibronectin, which are involved in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and maintenance of cell phenotype allows for a significant increase in biocompatibility of the artificially produced matrices and alters the properties of the designed materials [14,15,16]
It was shown that enrichment of fibers with collagen increases their tensile strength but decreases the relative elongation at break, while by contrast the addition of BioMed Research International elastin decreases the tensile strength and increases the relative elongation at break [17]
Summary
The micro- and nanofiber matrices produced by electrospinning using solutions of synthetic or natural polymers as well as their blends can be made sufficiently durable depending on the used polymeric composition. Electrospun matrices can simulate the structure of extracellular matrix, possess good biocompatibility, ability to be colonized by cells, and integrate with the adjacent tissues As such, they are widely used in engineering of soft and hard tissues (nerves, blood vessels, skin, cartilage, bone, etc.) [1, 2]. Addition of extracellular matrix proteins, such as gelatin (GL), collagen, elastin, and fibronectin, which are involved in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and maintenance of cell phenotype allows for a significant increase in biocompatibility of the artificially produced matrices and alters the properties of the designed materials [14,15,16]. As a rule commercial preparations contain enzymatically hydrolyzed elastin, which is markedly different from the natural state of this protein These preparations as well as the preparations of individual collagens are rather expensive, which considerably limits their use in tissue engineering. Electrospun 3D matrices from pure gelatin are used in tissue engineering for wound healing [22]
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